Given how poor their pass defense was last season, it’s a spot they’ll have to address in the draft even if they do wind up signing someone from outside the organization. They’re doing some research on that front Thursday by meeting with cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.

Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times reported news of Mathieu’s visit and refers to him as an “intriguing prospect for many reasons.” Among them are his habit for making game-changing plays as a sophomore with LSU in 2011 and his subsequent dismissal from the team under a cloud of pot smoke. Mathieu’s size has also led some to question whether or not he’ll be able to make it in the NFL.

Mathieu has also met with the Bengals and is scheduled to visit with the Patriots on Friday as he tries to find a team willing to take a shot on a player who hasn’t done anything on a football field in more than 15 months.